§ 9. Mr. PALINGasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the pro posed legislation establishing a local Asian civil service in Kenya Colony has been submitted to him; and whether he will recommend that the Asian officers who have not completed eight years' continuous service as at 1st January, 1933, but who are confirmed in their appointments and are on pensionable status, should not be transferred, against their will, to the local Asian civil service?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)I have received the proposals for the 368 establishment of the Asian local civil service in Kenya which, except in so far as they refer to the creation of a provident fund, do not require legislation. These proposals are still being considered, but they do not contemplate that any officer who has already acquired pensionable status should be transferred to the new service against his wishes, whether he had completed eight years' service on the 1st January, 1933, or not.
§ 14. Mr. HALL-CAINEasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet any information as to whether it has been found possible to balance the budget of Kenya Colony for the coming financial year; and whether he is in a position to make any statement with regard to the general financial position of that colony?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERYes, Sir, the estimates for 1935 anticipate a surplus of £15,907; and I have recently learned from the governor that, according to the latest figures, last year resulted in an excess of revenue of about £4,000, in place of the deficit of £54,000 which was previously expected. This satisfactory result appears to be due to increased trading activity towards the close of the year; and, as I stated in reply to a question on the 27th of February, there is reason to hope that, if the colony is not again afflicted by drought or other un- 369 predictable setbacks, its general financial position will show an improvement during the present year.
Captain GUESTWill the right hon. Gentleman clear up this point—whether the taxes specifically imposed for 3933–1934 have had to be re-imposed to enable him to get that benefit?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERMy right hon. and gallant Friend's question is based on a complete misconception. Taxes are constantly imposed, like the income tax here, every year, in connection with that year's budget, but there has never been any suggestion that the taxes imposed a year ago to balance the budget would be withdrawn at the end of that year.